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Just Like His Dad

I like basketball. If you know anything about college basketball, then (hopefully) you know all about Duke.  My dad graduated from there-‘nuff said.

Roy used to play basketball.  He didn’t play in college-why I don’t know, my husband has skills (if I do say so myself), but he’s played on and off since then.  At the park with the kids, pick up games with his friends, at the gym, etc.

And now, Hayden has decided he wants to focus on basketball-YEAH!  A sport I understand!  A part of me wishes he would have said to me, “Mom, swimming is my soul. I want to swim.”  But if that isn’t going to happen, at least it’s a sport I can follow.  Football-too confusing.

So anyways, we found out when the youth league was going to start sign ups, we put it on the calendar and for months Hayden has practiced.

Jump shots, layups, free throws, etc, etc.  And the day before he had tryouts, he was ready!

Good Dinner? Check

Good night sleep? Check

Healthy breakfast? You got it

He had the proper shoes, his Kevin Durant socks, basketball shorts.  He looked cool and he was ready.

We got to the middle school-where they were having tryouts-and I could see he was a bit nervous.  The boys-all 9 and ten year olds-were to line up in a single file line around mid court.  They were thrown a ball and then had to dribble to one end and then do a layup.  After they got the ball back, they dribbled down the court and shot another layup, and then a free throw.

I was worried about Hayden controlling the ball, he tends to move quickly, but he started off and WOW!  Was I surprised.  Control, watched where he was going, and though he missed the first lay up, he moved down the court with finesse.  He watched where he was going, controlled the ball, and frankly looked great!  Did his layup, nailed it!  He went to the free throw line and shot….SWISH!  Nothing, but net, and then I saw his face.

Pain was etched all over our little boys face.  He tried, valiantly, not to limp off the court.

I went to get up, but Roy put his hand on my shoulder.

“Let him walk to us.” eyes were on us and coaches were watching.

A part of me didn’t care, my little boy had rolled his ankle and was in pain, but I knew he would get angry if I got up.  He had something to prove and rolled ankle or not, he was going to do just that.  When he got to me, his face fell and he struggled to hold back the tears.

Roy helped him sit down and got him to relax.  Once he took a few deep breaths, he was able to get himself under control.  We watched a few more of the kids, and then left.

I do want to add, that Hayden is a hell of a team player.  He’ll be the first to stand up and cheer for his teammates, and then the last one to sit down.  He’ll talk to a friend that had a bad play, and he’s able for the most part to shake off a bad play that he does.  We were so proud to see him cheering for the other kids as he awaited his turn, and he continued to do so as he sat with us on the bleachers-even though he was in pain.

And while the mother in me, wanted to run out there and carry him to the bleachers, the competitor in me was proud to see him try and hold the pain in.  Not because he wanted to impress the coaches-though I’m sure a part of him did, but because that’s who he is. He’s a competitor, an athlete-he’s our warrior.  He gives it a 110% on the field or the court. And win or lose, he’s just happy to play the game.

So, here’s to our little Cavalier! Proud of you, buddy!

Basketball family Kids parenting Sports
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